Air Quality

Fair Winds Charter (FWC)

Air pollution has been a long-standing issue in Hong Kong and will remain one of our biggest sustainability challenges in the years to come. We all breathe, rich or poor, young or old, and Hong Kong people deserve clean and safe air. Unfortunately, poor air quality has been undermining people’s health, causing premature deaths, and imposing direct and indirect costs on society.

Civic Exchange is dedicated to research and engagement, with the goal of influencing government policy on air quality. Over the years, we have conducted numerous local and regional research studies on topics such as emissions inventories, health impact assessments, health risk communication, international practices, regional air quality management models, and emission reduction strategies. We also regularly engage with key stakeholders, such as the business sector and university partners, to exchange knowledge, advance policy discussions and plan further actions.

The objectives of this review are: to identify the nature and types of studies on air pollution and health in Greater China, excluding Taiwan, including publications in both local and international journals on medicine and health.

This report provides groundbreaking new insights into the regional air pollution discussion and fills in key knowledge gaps – with the aim of informing the public, business, and government about the true scale of the problem.

This book examines Hong Kong’s air quality policy in the ten years since 1997. Despite some progress, regulation is often either inadequate and set goals, even when met, do not meaningfully address the most important issues.

The government has an opportunity to end decades of pollution, dangerous air and filthy skies, leaving a legacy of healthier, cleaner air. Reducing pollution must become a central part of the government’s policies that are within an on overall sustainable development context.